Diet
What do American redstarts eat?
Flying and foliage insects, caught with tail-flashing sallies.
Wood-warblers (Parulidae)American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla
Spring and summer diet
- Leafhoppers, caterpillars, flies and beetles
Fall and winter diet
- Migrates to the tropics
Best feeder foods
- None — mature deciduous trees are the draw
Fans its bright tail to flush insects. A common migrant at birdbaths in wooded yards.
Where American redstarts need winter food
Frequently asked
What do American redstarts eat?
Flying and foliage insects, caught with tail-flashing sallies.
What is the best food to feed American redstarts?
None — mature deciduous trees are the draw.
What do American redstarts eat in winter?
Migrates to the tropics.
Sources
- American Redstart — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Redstart life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Redstart — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.